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Sandpaper Letter Rubbings (Early Literacy)

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This month the letters that we are focusing on are Ff, Oo, Gg. I presented this early literacy activity to the class that they seemed to enjoy. I enjoyed watching them grasp the concept and gain skills.

For this activity, I used the sandpaper letters, broken crayons with wrappers removed, and scrap paper cut into fourths.

On day one, I displayed the sandpaper letters along with the other materials in a tray on the writing table for the children to explore before our morning meeting. No instructions are provided. (Glad no one took it upon themselves to color on the letters.)

Presenting the activity

During our morning meeting, I remove the tray from the table and bring it with me. Here is where I introduce the letter sounds to my friends. I trace each letter as I say it’s sound and then pass it around for them to do the same. Immediately some of my friends start to come up with words that begin with the letters as they get their chance to hold trace and say. This springs to life an awesome transference of knowledge amongst the students.

Once we have passed around all of the letters, I then ask them about the tray and how they explored it. Once everyone has had a chance to tell me about how they explored that morning, I proceed to show them what my activity was for the sandpaper letters.

After demonstrating for them the activity that I had in mind, I place the tray back on the table and inform them that it will be there for the remainder of the week before it finds a home on the shelf.

What I observed

My friends were trying their very best to copy what they saw me doing during our morning meeting. Some even came to ask me for help. By the end of the week, most were able to create their sandpaper rubbings to take home to their parents. I noticed that some formed the word fog, and one friend excitedly showed me the word go. By the end of the week, most of the class were sharing words that started, ended, and had the letters in them.

Continue the learning

Next week Monday, I shared with them the name of the letters and explained that the activity was now on the writing shelf for them to work with at their discretion.